New EV chargers planned for Barnsley streets under £1.7m scheme
The scheme will help people without a driveway access electric charging
Last updated 20th Feb 2026
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council has approved plans to roll out new electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the borough after signing off up to £1.7m in government-backed funding.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday February 18, councillors agreed to accept between £1.3m and £1.7m in capital funding, alongside £125,000 in revenue funding, to expand electric vehicle infrastructure across the borough.
The money will be used to work with private charge point operators to install on-street chargers, particularly aimed at residents who do not have off-street parking and currently struggle to charge electric vehicles.
The funding comes through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme, administered locally by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, using money provided by the Department for Transport.
Council officers said around 20 per cent of Barnsley households do not have access to a driveway, making public charging essential if more residents are to switch from petrol and diesel cars.
Under the plan, charge point operators will own and run the chargers, contributing around half of the installation costs. The council said this would maximise the number of chargers installed while limiting financial risk and long-term maintenance costs.
Cabinet members also approved a new on-street charging policy, setting out rules for where chargers can be placed and how installations will be managed safely on pavements and highways.
Council officers said chargers would be distributed across all wards in the borough, rather than concentrated in a small number of areas, to ensure fair access.
Installation work is expected to begin from late 2026, following procurement and contract approvals, with the scheme forming part of the council’s wider ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2045.